Hi, wish I could help you with the book, but unless you're thinking of e.g. Naka's I or II which are as general as they are specific (with lots of line drawings), I can't think which one would fit. Try over at Bonsaitalk.com because a lot of people there have been around a long time and may know what your book is. I'm just curious - you say you've been growing bonsai a long time, but .. in zone 2b? Are you in northern Ont. or Que? And do you import all supplies, and grow everything indoors, or ??? I'm from Que. and have lived various places. Thanks!

Hi,

My 2b is western Canada (southern Saskatchewan). Obviously a lot of bonsai material wouldn't survive in that climate - I only bonsai hardy trees (chinese elms, alberta spruce, scots pine, burr oak, etc. etc.) In the winter, I pop them out of their pots and heel them in. (If you leave the pots outside over winter they will shatter - I learned the hard way).

This way, it's a cheap hobby - I air layer trees growing at the edges of fields, dig up some wild material from ditches and start some stuff from seed. The bloody pots, though, are expensive!

Thanks for the suggestions about the books - I'll try looking at a copy of Naka's and see if it's the one I'm thinking of. I could really use some structure in my trees - up 'till now I've been just winging it :)

There are lots of books reviewed under the book subforum (in General Discussion) of www.bonsaisite.com forums... and Amazon.com has a 'used' section for bonsai books - tons, cheeep - if you search there.

Thanks!
SLR

Try dallasbonsai.com for the best price(s) for either or both of the John Naka books.